Site description
The majority of the delta is used intensively by man and comprises agricultural land, settlements, wetlands, sand-dunes and beaches. Akgöl lake is a permanent nutrient-rich freshwater lake supporting rich marsh vegetation (including extensive Potamogeton, Scirpus, Typha and Phragmites beds). Saltmarsh surrounds the major lakes; the dunes are of particular conservation interest due to their intact and dynamic nature.

Key biodiversity
The site is of major importance for a range of breeding waterbirds, including the largest numbers of Marmaronetta angustirostris known in Turkey. It is also important for wintering raptors and waterbirds, and as a stop-over site for large numbers of Pelecanus onocrotalus and Ciconia ciconia. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (wintering) and Larus audouinii. 332 bird species have been recorded, 90 are thought to breed.